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ST. CHARLES, Mo (KMOV.com) – Criminals are putting homeowners at risk while they sleep in St. Charles.

Police say burglars are stealing garage door openers and then using them to get into homes.

At least four times in two weeks, suspects have used the techniques in two neighborhoods- one south of Highway 94, the other off of Muegge Road.

One resident is shaken after a burgler walked all through the first floor of the house late one night last week, as he, his brother, both his parents and his grandfather all were sound asleep.

The burglar quietly took anything he saw, including an iPad, Playstation 3, a wallet, and a handgun.

Police say it was an easy route into the home, taking the garage door opener from an unlocked car and then opening an unlocked door from the garage to the house.

Police say it is the perfect crime of opportunity created by careless habits.

“Lock your car doors outside making sure the garage door opener is inside with you and making sure the door is locked between the garage and the home as well,” said Erik Lawrenz with St. Charles Police.